Nickel and cobalt catalysts including a group IIA and VIA component

ABSTRACT

Compositions prepared from (I) a transition metal compound of the iron group, (II) a Group IIA metal-containing compound, and (III) Group VIA element-containing compound, are effective in a process to convert paraffins or monoolefins to a greater degree of unsaturation.

r v United States Patent 91 [111 3,886,090 Bertus 1 May 27, 1975 [54] NICKEL AND COBALT CATALYSTS 2,971,927 2/1961 Price 252/440 X INCLUDING A GROUP HA AND VIA 3,095,430 6/1963 Wettstein 252/440 X COMPONENT 3,324,045 6/1967 252/439 3,519,556 7/1970 Schutt 252/439 X [75] Inventor: Brent J. Bertus, Bartlesville, Okla. ,83 9/ 1970 G er et 25 X 3,666,687 5 197 C l. 440 [73] Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company, 2 roce a 252, X

Bartlesville, Oklaf [22] Filed: Sept. 20, 1973 Primary Examiner-Patrick P. Garvin [21] Appl. No.: 399,166

Related U.S. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 230,077, Feb. 28, 1972, Pat. No. ABSTRACT Compositions prepared from (I) a transition metal [52] U.S. Cl. 252/432; 252/439; 252/440 compound of the iron group, (II) a Group IIA metal- [51] Int. Cl. B01j 11/74; BOlj 11/82 containing compound, and (III) Group VIA element- [58] Field of Search 260/6833, 680 E; 252/440, containing compound, are effective in a process to 252/439, 432 convert paraffins or monoolefins to a greater degree of unsaturation.

[56] References Cited 25 Claims, No Drawings NICKEL AND COBALT CATALYSTS INCLUDING A GROUP IIA AND VIA COMPONENT This application is a divisional application of Ser. No. 230,077, filed Feb. 28, 1972, now US. Letters Pat. No. 3,784,627 issued Jan. 8, 1974.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to novel compositions. The invention further relates to dehydrogenation processes utilizing the compositions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A variety of dehydrogenation catalyst compositions and systems are known. However, the search for better and more effective catalyst compositions and processes continues.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is an object of my invention to provide novel compositions. Another object of my invention is to provide novel catalysts. It is a further object of my invention to provide effective yields of desired products through dehydrogenation processes.

.Other aspects, objects, and several other advantages of my invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which my invention most nearly pertains by consideration of my disclosure as presented in this specification including my appended claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to my invention, novel compositions are formed by the combination of (I) a transition metalcontaining component of the iron group. i.e., a compound of iron, cobalt, or nickel, (II) a Group IIA metalcontaining component, and (III) a Group VIA containing component.

These components, when formed into catalyst compositions, exhibit effective properties and abilities to convert, for example, a paraffin to an olefin, such as a butane to butene, or to convert a monoolefin to a diene, such as a butene to the corresponding butadiene, or to convert paraffins to dienes, and the like. The soproduced unsaturated monoenes and dienes are useful in preparation of valuable polymers, such as the polyolefins, or polymers of conjugated dienes such as polybutadiene useful in various rubber compositions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Compositions The compositions of my invention comprise a combination of (I) a transition metal or transition metalcontaining component of the fourth period of Group VIII of the Periodic Table, hereinafter termed the iron group, (II) a Group IIA metal or metal-containing component, and (III) a Group VIA element or elementcontaining component from the third to the fifth period.

The (I) iron group components to which I refer are one or more of iron, cobalt, or nickel; presently preferred being nickel. The (11) Group IIA components are one or more of beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, or barium; presently preferred being magnesium. The (III) Group VIA components are one or more of sulfur, selenium, or tellurium; presently preferred being sulfur. The designations Group VIII, Group IIA, and Group VIA refer to the Periodic Table of the Elements as set forth in Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 49th Ed. (1968-1969), The Chemical Rubber Co., Cleveland, Ohio, page B-3.

In my compositions as catalysts according to my invention, the relative amounts of each component can vary widely, so long as there is an effective relationship in the final composition produced, i.e., each component is present in an amount sufficient to provide cata lytic effectiveness in the composition combination.

As a working broad range, the iron group component or components constitute about 20 to weight percent; the Group IIA metal component or components about 1 to 30 weight percent; and the Group VIA component or components about 1 to 40 weight percent; each component being calculated as the element itself.

It is presently preferred, although not necessarily so limited, that my compositions as catalysts reflect a range of about 25 to 65 weight percent for the iron group component or components together; from about 2 to 15 weight percent for the Group IIA component or components together; and from about 2 to 20 weight percent for the Group VIA component or components; each component calculated as the element itself.

Two or more components from each group can be utilized to form my catalyst compositions. Where two or more components from a particular group are utilized, the combined weight percentage of such components reflects the weight percentage for the component as indicated within the broad and presently preferred ranges given hereinabove.

The total of (I), (II), and (III) need not equal percent, since the elements contained in the finished calcined catalysts can be but are not necessarily in the elemental state. The elements can be conbined, for example, with such as sufficient oxygen to form one or more compounds.

Substantially any element or compound or compounds of the aforementioned elements can be employed in such preparations, so long as none of the compounds are detrimental to the final oxidative dehydrogenation effectiveness of the catalyst compositions, and so long as elements other than the iron group metals, the Group IIA metals, the Group VIA elements and combined oxygen in such compounds as are employed are substantially removed from the final catalyst compositions by appropriate washing or volatilization steps including drying, calcining, and the like. Of course, relatively minor amounts of some elements such as sodium which are present as more or less trace constituents in compounds being employed, or are present in a combined form not completely eliminated by drying, calcining, and the like, are not detrimental as long as they do not inordinately interfere in the effectiveness of my compositions nor in the processes in which they are employed.

The (I) iron group-containing component can be chosen broadly from any of the compounds of such elements. Presently preferred for convenience are the oxides or compounds convertible to the oxides on drying or calcining, such as the hydroxides or nitrates; and also useful are the halides including fluoride, chloride, bromide, iodide; the halates including the bromates and other equivalent halates; carboxylates such as acetates, propionates, tartrates, oxalates; and the like; as well as mixtures thereof. The sulfates are applicable, and may be particularly suitable since the sulfur contained therein ultimately can represent the Group VIA component in the final catalyst compositions. Presently preferred are compounds of nickel, more particularly oxides of nickel or compounds convertible thereto on calcination.

The (II) Group llA metal-containing component or compound can be any applicable compound ofa Group llA metal. Compounds with Group VIA elements can be utilized, such as magnesium sulfate, since such also will contribute or can contribute the (III) third component of the compositions of my invention. Otherwise, the Group lIA oxides or compounds convertible thereto presently are preferred. Of the sub-generic compounds within the (II) second component of my compositions, presently preferred are the magnesium compounds, and of these particularly such as magnesium sulfate, magnesium hydroxide or oxide,

The (III) element-containing component for my compositions can be chosen from any of the elements of Group VIA of the Periodic Table of the third, fourth, or fifth periods of the Periodic Table, more specifically sulfur, selenium, or tellurium. Presently preferred is sulfur.

It should be noted that any of the double compounds can be useful, such as ammonium magnesium sulfate and the like, and such compounds can be utilized in preparation of compositions according to my invention.

In general, any methods of preparation can be used which provide catalytic compositions containing the prescribed components in catalytically effective pro portions. The compositions can be prepared by any suitable method known to the arts, including coprecipi tation, impregnation, dry mixing, wet mixing, or the like, alone, or in various combinations. When the catalyst-forming ingredients have been suitably combined, they are generally calcined. The final calcined compositions should have a suitably high surface area so as to permit effective catalytic operations, and it is presently preferred that the compositions have a catalytical surface area of at least about one square meter per gram.

An illustrative method of catalyst preparation involves dry mixing one or more of the necessary components from each group, adding sufficient water or other convenient diluent or slurry-forming liquid so as to make a workable slurry, and intimately mixing the aforesaid components. The slurry can be dried to form a dried composite at any convenient drying temperature sufficient to volatilize the water or the diluent or diluents or suspending agents, such as from about 220 to 450F. The dried composite can be activated by subjecting it to an elevated calcining temperature. Such elevated calcination or activation temperature can be any broad range usual for such preparations, such as of the order of about 900 to 1800 F. Suggested times usually are conveniently from about 0.1 to about 24 hours. Calcination and activation preferably include exposure of the composite during the calcination step to a molecular oxygen-containing gas such as air.

The catalyst compositions can be formed into any convenient shape or structure for utilization as catalyst entities, such as tablets, extrudates, finely divided powders, agglomerates, and the like, by means known to the art. For convenience in shaping, such particleforming steps preferably are conducted prior to calcining, although by various crushing or compaction steps such can be accomplished subsequent thereto if preferred.

The catalyst compositions can be prepared with or without a support. Where desired for strength or catalyst distribution in various types of reactors, conventional supports can be utilized such as silica, boria, titania, zirconia, various types of alumina, and the like, as are well known in the art. When a support is utilized, the aforementioned weight ratios of each active component of my catalyst compositions are exclusive of such support or supports.

Dehydrogenation Feedstocks Organic feedstocks to which my compositions as catalysts can be applied in dehydrogenation processes are those feedstocks or feedstreams containing one or more dehydrogenatable organic compounds. Such compounds can be characterized as containing at least one grouping. The compounds to be treated typically contain in the range of 2 to 12 carbon atoms per molecule, although such range is more from present commercial availability of feedstocks than from limitation of the scope of my invention. It is feasible to treat compounds containing a greater number of carbon atoms. The upper carbon limitation just mentioned does not indicate a limitation on effectiveness of my catalyst and processes, but only refers to what may be commercially available in the way of feedstocks.

Particularly applicable for my process employing my compositions as catalysts are the paraffins and monoolefins, including cyclic and acyclic, more particularly acyclic, any or all of which can be branched or unbranced. Such feedstocks can be utilized as a relatively pure feedstock, i.e., a single compound, or diluted with an inert diluent such as nitrogen; or can be mixed feedstocks available from various refinery streams and containing a variety of components, some dehydrogenatable, some perhaps not. The conversion of butane to butenes, butane to butenes and/or butadiene, isopentane to isoamylenes and isoprene, and butenes to butadiene, presently are considered most advantageous. Representative other feedstocks or dehydrogenatable feedstock components include ethane, propane, isobutane, pentane, cyclopentane, hexane, 2-methylhexane, octane, 2,4-dimethyloctane, Z-methylbutene-l, hexene-Z, octene-l, 3-methylnonene-4, dodecene-l, and the like, alone or in admixture.

Dehydrogenation Conditions In dehydrogenation processes, particularly oxidative dehydrogenation processes, the hydrocarbon feedstock or hydrocarbon-containing feedstock, generally together with a molecular oxygen-containing gas, optionally further with steam, is formed into an admixture, usually preheated, is contacted with a composition of my invention as catalyst in any suitable reaction zone under contacting conditions suitable or necessary for the degree or extent of conversion desired. The compositions as catalysts can be utilized in any contacting method or reaction mode known to the catalyst and dehydrogenation arts, employing any mode of contacting, such as continuous operation using the presently preferred fixed catalyst bed or beds in a single contacting zone, or plurality of contacting zones, or by other contacting methods such as fluidized beds, and the like.

Feedstocks can be dehydrogenated with a process using the compositionsaccording to my invention over any broad range of contacting conditions, temperature. pressure, space rates, and the like. presently employed in such arts. Suggested contacting temperatures cover a broad range such as from 800 to l300F, presently preferred from about 1000 to l200F for improved conversion and selectivity; with contacting pressures of from about 0 to about 250 psia; utilizing a hydrocarbonzoxygen ratio of about 1:0.1 to about 1:4. preferably from about 1:05 to 121.5 for best conversion. Air is the preferred free oxygen-containing gas.

The use of steam is beneficial for heat transfer purposes to remove heat of reaction. Where steam is so employed, a steamzhydrocarbon ratio of up to about 50:1 or more can be utilized. Hydrocarbon feed rates can be within any range generally employed in dehydrogenation arts. with ranges presently suggested from about 50 to 5000 presently from about 200 to 1000,

. GHSV.

The effluent from the contacting zone or zones can be subjected to any suitable separation method or methods so as to isolate and recover desired product or products, to separate unconverted or partially converted feedstocks or components in order to provide recycle or for other use in the modern integrated chemical-refincry-petrochemical processing operation which more and more frequently is being termed a petrocomplexity.

My compositions as catalysts, employed under appropriate conditions, have a long, active life, and seldom need, if ever, to undergo regeneration. However, regeneration can be readily accomplished should such become indicated or is desired, according to operational controls, or because of inactivation possibly attributable to minor amounts of poisons in the feedstock or inadvertently introduced or for other reasons. Regeneration can be accomplished by ceasing the flow of feedstock, generally continuing the flow of oxygencontaining gas, preferably also of steam where such is employed or is available, and otherwise maintaining operating conditions of temperature and the like for a sufficient time to restore substantial activity to the catminor amounts of acids such as acetic acids, can be obtained. Some minor amounts of cracked products also may be formed which themselves may be desirable, such as butadiene as a by-product of oxidative dehydrogenation of isopentane to isoprene. Such components can be readily separated by means known to the the art and utilized for recycle or other application in the petrocomplexity.

EXAMPLES The following examples are intended to illustrate the use of my compositions as catalysts. These examples, and the particular components and conditions as used therein, are intended to be illustrative of my invention and not limitative of the reasonable and proper scope thereof.

In the data reported, percent conversion is defined as moles hydrocarbon converted/ 100 moles of hydrocarbon butane in the feed. Modivity is defined as a modified selectivity in moles monounsaturated plus moles diunsaturate per 100 moles hydrocarbon converted based on analysis of gas phase products for converted hydrocarbons, oxides or carbon, and unconverted feed. Conversion/yield are reported on same basis as modivity.

EXAMPLE I Compositions of my invention were made employing as the (1) component nickel oxide, and as the (II) and (Ill) component, magnesium sulfate heptahydrate. The dry materials, or in the case of the heptahydrate, the apparently dry material, were dry mixed intimately, moistened with sufficient distilled water to form a workable slurry for further admixing, and the slurry dried at a temperature of about 300F in air for about two hours. The dried composition was calcined at a temperature of about 1200F in air overnight. The final calcined composition was ground to about 20-35 mesh. The composition contained 59.3 weight percent nickel, 5 weight percent magnesium, 16.5 weight percent sulfur, each component expressed as the element.

The so-prepared composition was employed as catalyst in runs utilizing a hydrocarbon feed rate of 200 GHSV butane, 200 GHSV oxygen (air was used), and 2000 GHSV steam, for conversion of butane to products of a greater degree of unsaturation. Atmospheric pressure was employed in the runs, and the sample was taken at about minutes reaction time. The following data reflect results obtained:

TABLE I Run Temp. Yield,%

F Conversion,% Modivity,% C.,H C H Total C Olefins alyst compositions in the reaction zone. Of course, if The above data reflect effective conversion.

modivity, and desirable yields in conversion of butane with catalysts of my invention in a process of dehydrogenation under oxidative dehydrogenation conditions. It will be observed that suitable temperatures can be selected to give desired combination of conversion and modivity.

EXAMPLE ll Further catalyst compositions were prepared using varying amounts of nickel nitrate tetrahydrate and magnesium sulfate heptahydrate. The components a calcined composition of a cobalt or nickel oxide, were admixed and the catalyst compositions prepared compound convertible to the oxide on calcination, sulas described in Example I above. The compositions of fate, selenate, or tellurate, and a Group A metal comthe several catalysts prepared are given in Table ll-l pound which is the sulfate, selenate, or tellurate, and below: wherein said calcined composition of matter contains TABLE ll-l gms gms Weight Percent Catalyst No. Ni(NO .4H O MgSO..7H O Ni Mg S "us element. ""lUfV/r MO.

The catalysts described above in Table I then were I. about 20 to 85 weight percent of cobalt or nickel, tested for butane conversion under oxidative dehydro- Il. about 1 to weight percent of Group A metal genation conditions employing a contacting temperawherein said Group llA metal is beryllium, magneture of [000F, otherwise conditions as described 20 sium, calcium, strontium, or barium, and above in Example I. The results are shown below in II]. about 1 to 40 weight percent of sulfur, selenium, Table 11-2: I or tellurium TABLE 112 Run Catalyst, Conversion, Modivity, Yield,% N0, No. it 7( C4E Cf Total C, Olefins 8 6 70 O 0 M O 0 As will be observed from data shown in Table 11-2 wherein each weight percent is calculated as the reabove, a nickel oxide catalyst in Run 8 have high conspective element. version, but no desired products at all, the butane feed 2. A composition according to claim 1 wherein said having been converted substantially entirely to carbon (l) is nickel, said (1]) is magnesium, and said (III) is suloxides. However, Runs 4-7 inclusive using catalysts of fur. the h y P PQ of N1, g. f 3. The composition according to claim 1 wherein said S, substantial activity and modivity for the production 1 1 cobait, Said (ii) is magnesium, and Said (iii) i of valuable dehydrogenation products. f

EXAMPLE m 4. A composition of matter according to claim 1 consisting essentially of about 25 to 65 weight percent said Additional catalyst composltion was prepared em- (I)! about 2 to 15 weight percent said (u), about 2 to ploying 100 grams nickel nitrate tetrahydrate, grams magnesium sulfate heptahydrate, and I0 grams sulfuric acid. The components were mixed by stirring, heated 45 to 300F. and dried in air for 2 hours. The dried composition was calcined in air overnight at about l200F.

20 weight percent said (Ill).

5. A catalyst composition according to claim 4 wherein said (I) is nickel.

6. A composition according to claim 4 wherein said The calcined composition was ground to 20-35 mesh. (I) 15 Cobalt i l The catalyst contained 38.6 weight percent nickel, 7.5 Composmon accordmg to Clam 5 wherem weight percent magnesium, 15.8 weight percent sulfur, (In) sulfur h component as the element 8. A composition according to claim 6 wherein said The catalyst was tested for conversion of butane (In) is sulfurunder oxidative dehydrogenation conditions as 1 9. A catalyst composition consisting essentially of a scribed above for Example ll. A conversion of 29.5 percalcined admixture 0f Cobalt of nickel Oxide, m was bt i d ith di i f 54,2 percent P dpound convertible to the oxide on calcination, sulfate, uct yield was 10.2 percent butenes, 5.8 percent butadil nate. 0r tellurate, and beryllium, magnesium, enes i h t l (j ()lefins f 16 percent, Thi again calcium, strontium, or barium, oxided, compound conshows the effectiveness of compositions as catalysts in vertible to the oxide on calcination, sulfate, selenate, OI

a process according to my invention using compositCllUI'ElIC, further containing a SUPPOI'T, wherein in said tions prepared from other starting materials. catalyst composition said cobalt or nickel represents The disclosure and data have shown the value and efabout 20 to 85 Weight Percent, Said Group repre' fectiveness of my invention. Reasonable variations and Sems about 1 to 30 Weight P L and Said p modifications certainly are possible within my disclo- Selfirlillm r t llurium, represents about 1 to 40 weight sure, yet without departing from the reasonable scope and spirit thereof.

percent, exclusive of said support.

10. The catalyst composition according to claim 9 I claim: I wherein said support is silica, alumina, boria, titania, l. A composition of matter consisting essentially of zirconia, mixtures thereof, or combinations thereof.

11. A calcined composition consisting essentially of (l) cobalt or nickel oxide, (ll) beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, or barium as the sulfate, wherein said calcined catalyst composition contains in the range of about 20 to 85 weight percent said (I), about 1 to 30 weight percent said (ll), and about 1 to 40 weight percent sulfur, excluding support, if any, and each of said (I), (ll), and sulfur, calculated as the element.

12. The catalyst composition according to claim 11 consisting essentially of about 3| to 60 weight percent nickel or cobalt, about 5 to 13 weight percent magnesium, and about 6 to 17 weight percent sulfur.

13. A calcined composition consisting essentially of (I) cobalt or nickel oxide, (ll) beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, or barium as the sulfate, selenate, or tellurate, wherein said catalyst composition contains about 20 to 85 weight percent said (I), about 1 to 30 weight percent said (ll), and about 1 to 40 weight percent sulfur, selenium, or tellurium, excluding support, if any, and wherein each said weight percent is calculated as the element.

14. A calcined composition consisting essentially of (I) cobalt or nickel oxide or sulfate, (ll) beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, or barium sulfate, wherein in said catalyst composition said cobalt or nickel is present to the extent of about 20 to 85 weight percent, said beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, 0r barium, is present to the extent of about 1 to 30 weight percent, and sulfur is present to the extent of about 1 to 40 weight percent of the total of said catalyst composition, excluding support, if any.

15. A calcined composition consisting essentially of (I) cobalt or nickel oxide, sulfate, selenate, or tellurate, (II) beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, or barium, oxide, sulfate, selenate, or tellurate, wherein in said calcined catalyst composition contains about 20 to 85 weight percent cobalt or nickel, about 1 to 30' weight percent beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, or barium, and about l to 40 weight percent sulfur, selenium or tellurium, excluding support, if any.

16. The catalyst composition as defined in claim 15 wherein said (11) is beryllium.

17. The catalyst composition as defined in claim 15 wherein said (II) is calcium.

18. The catalyst composition as defined in claim 15 wherein said (II) is strontium.

19. The catalyst composition as defined in claim 15 wherein said (ll) is barium.

20. A process for preapring a catalyst composition which comprises the steps of admixing at least one cobalt or nickel compound which is the oxide, compound convertible thereto on calcination, sulfate, selenate, or tellurate, and a Group IlA metal compound which is the oxide, compound convertible to the oxide on calcination, sulfate, selenate, or tellurate, and calcining the resulting admixture in the presence of a molecular oxygen-containing gas, wherein the resulting calcined catalyst composition consists essentially of about 20 to weight percent cobalt, or nickel, about 1 to 30 weight percent Group IIA metal, and about l to 40 weight percent sulfur, selenium, or tellurium.

21. A process according to claim 20 wherein said admixture is formed in the presence ofa diluent sufficient to form a workable slurry, the slurry thereafter is dried to form a dry composite, and said dried composite is activated by said calcining step.

22. The process according to claim 21 wherein said drying is conducted at a temperature in the range of about 220 to 450F, and said calcining is conducted at a temperature in the range of about 900 to l800F.

23. The process according to claim 21 wherein said catalyst composition is subjected to a catalyst shapeforming step prior to said calcining step.

24. The process according to claim 24 wherein said slurry-forming material is water.

25. The process according to claim 20 wherein said molecular oxygen-containing gas is air.

=l= l l 'UNITED'STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT NO. 3,886,090

DATED May 27, 1975 INVENTOR(S) Brent J. Bertus it certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 8, line 57, delete "oxided" and insert oxide Colunn 10, line 10, delete "preapring" and insert preparing Column 10, line 35, delete "2h" and insert 21 Signed and Scaled this twenty-fifth D ay 0f November 19 75 [SEAL] Arrest:

RUTH c. M ASON c. MARSHALL DANN Arresting Officer Commissioner oflarents and Trademarks 

1. A composition of matter consisting essentially of a calcined composition of a cobalt or nickel oxide, compound convertible to the oxide on calcination, sulfate, selenate, or tellurate, and a Group IIA metal compound which is the sulfate, selenate, or tellurate, and wherein said calcined composition of matter contains I. about 20 to 85 weight percent of cobalt or nickel, II. about 1 to 30 weight percent of Group IIA metal wherein said Group IIA metal is beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, or barium, and III. about 1 to 40 weight percent of sulfur, selenium, or tellurium wherein each weight percent is calculated as the respective element.
 2. A composition according to claim 1 wherein said (I) is nickel, said (II) is magnesium, and said (III) is sulfur.
 3. The composition according to claim 1 wherein said (I) is cobalt, said (II) is magnesium, and said (III) is sulfur.
 4. A composition of matter according to claim 1 consisting essentially of about 25 to 65 weight percent said (I), about 2 to 15 weight percent said (II), about 2 to 20 weight percent said (III).
 5. A catalyst composition according to claim 4 wherein said (I) is nickel.
 6. A composition according to claim 4 wherein said (I) is cobalt.
 7. A composition according to claim 5 wherein said (III) is sulfur.
 8. A composition according to claim 6 wherein said (III) is sulfur.
 9. A CATALYST COMPOSITION CONSISTING ESSENTIALLY OF A CALCINED ADMIXTURE OF (I) COBALT OR NICKEL OXIDE, COMPOUND CONVERTIBLE TO THE OXIDE ON CALCINATION, SULFATE, SELENATE, OR TELLURATE, AND (ii9 BERYLLIUM, MAGNESIUM, CALCIUM, STRONTIUM, OR BARIUM, OXIDED, COMPOUND CONVERTIBLE TO THE OXIDE ON CALCINATION, SULFATE, SELENATE, OR TELLURATE; FURTHER CONTAINING A SUPPORT, WHEREIN IN SAID CATALYST COMPOSITION SAID COBALT OR NICKEL REPRESENTS ABOUT 20 TO 85 WEIGHT PERCENT, SAID GROUP IIA REPRESENTS ABOUT 1 TO 30 WEIGHT PERCENT, AND SAID SULPHUR, SELENIUM OR TELLURIUM, REPRESENTS ABOUT 1 TO 40 WEIGHT PERCENT, EXCLUSIVE OF SAID SUPPORT.
 10. THE CATALYST COMPOSITION ACCORDING TO CLAIM 9 WHEREIN SAID SUPPORT IS SILICA, ALUMINA, BORIA, TITANIA, ZIRCONIA, MIX TURES THEREOF, OR COMBINATIONS THEREOF.
 11. A calcined composition consisting essentially of (I) cobalt or nickel oxide, (II) beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, or barium as the sulfate, wherein said calcined catalyst composition contains in the range of about 20 to 85 weight percent said (I), about 1 to 30 weight percent said (II), and about 1 to 40 weight percent sulfur, excluding support, if any, and each of said (I), (II), and sulfur, calculated as the element.
 12. The catalyst composition according to claim 11 consisting essentially of about 31 to 60 weight percent nickel or cobalt, about 5 to 13 weight percent magnesium, and about 6 to 17 weight percent sulfur.
 13. A calcined composition consisting essentially of (I) cobalt or nickel oxide, (II) beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, or barium as the sulfate, selenate, or tellurate, wherein said catalyst composition contains about 20 to 85 weight percent said (I), about 1 to 30 weight percent said (II), and about 1 to 40 weight percent sulfur, selenium, or tellurium, excluding support, if any, and wherein each said weight percent is calculated as the element.
 14. A calcined composition consisting essentially of (I) cobalt or nickel oxide or sulfate, (II) beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, or barium sulfate, wherein in said catalyst composition said cobalt or nickel is present to the extent of about 20 to 85 weight percent, said beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, or barium, is present to the extent of about 1 to 30 weight percent, and sulfur is present to the extent of about 1 to 40 weight percent of the total of said catalyst composition, excluding support, if any.
 15. A calcined composition consisting essentially of (I) cobalt or nickel oxide, sulfate, selenate, or tellurate, (II) beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, or barium, oxide, Sulfate, selenate, or tellurate, wherein in said calcined catalyst composition contains about 20 to 85 weight percent cobalt or nickel, about 1 to 30 weight percent beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, or barium, and about 1 to 40 weight percent sulfur, selenium or tellurium, excluding support, if any.
 16. The catalyst composition as defined in claim 15 wherein said (II) is beryllium.
 17. The catalyst composition as defined in claim 15 wherein said (II) is calcium.
 18. The catalyst composition as defined in claim 15 wherein said (II) is strontium.
 19. The catalyst composition as defined in claim 15 wherein said (II) is barium.
 20. A process for preapring a catalyst composition which comprises the steps of admixing at least one cobalt or nickel compound which is the oxide, compound convertible thereto on calcination, sulfate, selenate, or tellurate, and a Group IIA metal compound which is the oxide, compound convertible to the oxide on calcination, sulfate, selenate, or tellurate, and calcining the resulting admixture in the presence of a molecular oxygen-containing gas, wherein the resulting calcined catalyst composition consists essentially of about 20 to 85 weight percent cobalt, or nickel, about 1 to 30 weight percent Group IIA metal, and about 1 to 40 weight percent sulfur, selenium, or tellurium.
 21. A process according to claim 20 wherein said admixture is formed in the presence of a diluent sufficient to form a workable slurry, the slurry thereafter is dried to form a dry composite, and said dried composite is activated by said calcining step.
 22. The process according to claim 21 wherein said drying is conducted at a temperature in the range of about 220* to 450*F, and said calcining is conducted at a temperature in the range of about 900* to 1800*F.
 23. The process according to claim 21 wherein said catalyst composition is subjected to a catalyst shape-forming step prior to said calcining step.
 24. The process according to claim 24 wherein said slurry-forming material is water.
 25. The process according to claim 20 wherein said molecular oxygen-containing gas is air. 